Bologna –
Coach Luca Banchi spoke in press conference after the game against Zalgiris: “Zalgiris came in and played a really solid game, with a good start. We responded quickly, we were in control from the beginning until the end of the third quarter and despite an excellent three-point performance by our opponents we were able to respond. I am very disappointed because obviously at the moment it is difficult for us to create quality basketball like our opponents did. They were very precise, especially at the end of the game, they put their experience and knowledge on the court to control the last possession. We have a lot of regrets, I’m sorry, because in terms of our efforts and our desire I think we played an excellent game. Not with the quality we need and not with the continuity we need to succeed at a high level.”
“We are still lacking, starting with me being self-critical, a higher level of mutual knowledge to understand how to react in moments of difficulty. After a traumatic start in the first minutes where the basket seemed bewitched, we immediately fixed things by taking charge of the game with personality. Then, unfortunately, there were so many episodes that seemed to have affected us also from an emotional point of view: defensive miscommunication, the missed basket, a few mistakes here and there, two consecutive offensive fouls, the obvious foul on Polonara later turned into a possession for the opponents. When we struggled at the beginning of the third period, we then regained our balance: we are a team that has yet to discover itself and we have to do so in high-stress situations. Everything felt like anything but a first Euroleague regular season game. There were two teams that were equal in terms of effort and energy: there was a high level of contact on the court. I take home the good feelings of some moments, however I have to work on the negative aspects we showed when you have to have the discipline and personality to control the game better.
Every little mistake comes points: players like Evans, Mitrou-Long, Ulanovas are great terminals, we lacked something at the level of lucidity, details that we have to file down as soon as possible. In the Euroleague all teams have the resources to respond and change the game: Zalgiris always did it in difficult moments. A game that gives me many cues to improve in order to increase mutual knowledge.”
On the physical condition of the different quintets chosen: “I would stop and analyze the game without investigating these things too much. I tried to ride the quintets that seemed to me to be more productive and the players that seemed to me to be more efficient at that specific moment, both in the offensive and defensive halves of the court. The result was a less balanced distribution than perhaps had happened in previous games. There are players like Dobric who were on their absolute debut today, even though he is coming from a summer with the national team and therefore does not have a condition to build but simply to restore. In general there were no limitations other than trying to always oppose a quintet that was as high performing as possible. Unfortunately, that continuity over 40 minutes we did not have, having it at this point in the season would be a gift. My job is to work to try to file down these moments and expand the good ones that were seen tonight, such as the number of assists. These are indicators, however, that the team has its own direction and identity. Unfortunately, we were not as cynical and precise tonight to bring home the victory. The recriminations and disappointment are even more bitter, the atmosphere that was there deserved a different epilogue.”
On Cordinier’s performance: “It was definitely a convincing performance. He knows his role on this team, and this team has the wills to put him in a position to be valued. He played good basketball tonight on both halves of the court. I think the club has given a clear signal to the player first, choices have been made aimed at enhancing this player. There has been time to evaluate him, to appreciate him, and now it’s time to try to complete the work, to work so that he becomes aware of the role and his teammates learn about his characteristics so that he can be as effective as possible especially when the opponents are attentive and prepared on the individual characteristics of the players.”
